Cebu hosts Asean Tourism Forum

The Philippines stands to gain significant economic, tourism and investment benefits as it hosts the 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum 2026.

- Christine Boton

The Department of Tourism (DOT) cited the event as a major milestone under the administration of President Marcos.

It said the hosting of ATF 2026 forms a key pillar of the country's ASEAN chairship this year, with the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," and positions the Philippines at the forefront of shaping the region's tourism trajectory, integration and long-term growth.

As the lead agency for ATF 2026, the DOT noted that the forum is among the first major sectoral events of the Philippines' chairship and will anchor a full calendar of ASEAN-related meetings throughout the year, bringing sustained international attention, visitor traffic and business activity to the country.

The forum will convene tourism ministers, senior officials of national tourism organizations (NTOs) and industry leaders from across Southeast Asia for high-level ministerial meetings, working group sessions, policy discussions and industry engagements central to ASEAN tourism cooperation.

"Hosting the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 is both an economic opportunity and a strategic statement of the Philippines' commitment to advancing a cooperative, forward-looking ASEAN tourism agenda with tangible benefits across our communities," said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.